The Story of Redding California

Once upon a time, the area that is now known as Redding was primarily inhabited by the Wintu tribe of Native Americans. Their settlements stretched from the northwestern part of the Sacramento River down to present-day Chico. In 1844, the Rancho Buena Ventura land grant was issued to Pierson B. Reading by California Governor Manuel Micheltorena, encompassing the modern-day towns of Anderson, Cottonwood, and Redding. Despite being named after Pierson Reading, the town of Redding was actually named after Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad who had decided to route the tracks through the area in 1872.

By the early 20th century, Redding had become a thriving settlement with a population of 600 settlers. On October 4, 1887, the town was officially incorporated as a general law city, governed by state legislative statutes and the State Constitution. The town was supported by the mineral extraction industry, primarily of copper and iron, and by 1910 the population had risen to 3,572.

However, by 1920, the mineral extraction industry declined and the population dropped to 2,962. This trend was reversed in 1930 with the construction of Shasta Dam, which brought the population back up to 4,188. By 2015, the population had grown to an estimated 91,110, according to the California Department of Finance.

Shasta Dam was built as a result of the growing need for flood control in the town of Redding. The winter rains would often cause tremendous flooding that drowned livestock, and so Judge Francis C. Carr and John McColl traveled to Washington, D.C. in the early 1930s to lobby for funding for the dam. Their efforts paid off and the Shasta Dam became the keystone of the State Water Plan's Central Valley Project. The dam took six years to build, from 1938 to 1944, and its height is taller than the Washington Monument, with spillways three times the height of Niagara Falls.

Just a few decades later, the construction of Whiskeytown Dam as part of the Trinity River Project sparked another construction boom in Redding that lasted through much of the 1960s. The dam also changed the town's recreational landscape by creating a lake with a 36-mile shoreline, which became the site of the annual Whiskeytown Regatta during Memorial Day weekend. In 1962, the people of Shasta County voted overwhelmingly in favor of Whiskeytown being developed as a National Recreation Area with full federal jurisdiction. Congressional approval took several more years, but by the summer of 1963, Whiskeytown had officially become a National Recreation Area for the residents of Northern California.

With the creation of Shasta and Whiskeytown Lakes, and the peripheral access to Mt. Shasta, Lassen Peak, and the Trinity Alps, Redding grew into a tourist hub. The arrival of the railroad, expansion of air travel, and improved communications brought people to Redding for a variety of recreational activities.

In 2004, an effort was made to increase tourism in the area with the construction of the Sundial Bridge. Designed by world-renowned architectural designer Santiago Calatrava, the Sundial Bridge was completed with the purpose of providing pedestrian access to the north and south of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The bridge casts its gnomon shadow upon a dial to the north of the bridge, which accurately marks the Summer Solstice. Today, the Sundial Bridge has not only fulfilled its purpose but has also become an iconic landmark for the City of Redding.

The story of Redding is one of growth and development, from its early days as a settlement for the Wintu tribe to its current status as a thriving tourist hub.

What We Know About The Proposed 1 Cent Tax

There’s been a lot of buzz about raising the sales tax in Redding by 1 percent.

Redding currently has the lowest sales tax in the whole state, a full 3 percent lower than parts of LA but even so, California has the highest sales tax in the U.S.

We’ve had a few conversations with people pushing the bill and here’s what they are saying. The tax increased tax will generate much of it’s revenue from tourists and people passing through on the I-5 corridor.

It will bring in an estimated $24 million in extra city budget which is currently at $295.3 million adding approximately 8 percent to the annual city revenue.

All the proceeds will go directly to the police and fire departments with the intent of helping with the homeless issue currently taking place.

There seems to be a general skepticism towards the city leadership but a lot of the old city council members and city leaders have been steadily replaced by new faces. Even so, it’s hard to tell exactly how much things have changed.

The complete city budget is posted on the city website here for those dedicated enough to read it.

What are your thoughts on the proposed 1 cent tax increase?


Redding To LA Flights: What Does it Cost?

After eight years, Redding finally has a nonstop flight to LA again.

The United flights will run every day departing from Redding at 6:45 am and will arrive in LAX at 8:35 am. The return flight will leave LA at 7:10 pm and land in Redding at 9:25 pm. The average cost of a roundtrip ticket is $257-600 depending on the day and duration of the trip.

Friday is the on average the cheapest day to depart. The prices increase slightly on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays but that didn’t stop passengers from fully booking the flight on its first day; March 8th.

Hopefully, this will increase traffic at local businesses and bring more revenue into our downtown. In combination with the newly remodeled Americana motel, more and more AirBnbs for travelers to stay in and new food and drink establishments for refreshments, Redding could have the most lively and bustling summer we’ve seen in years.  

This direct flight is perfect for weekend getaways or business trips and will continue to bring more SoCal tourists to our Northern paradise.

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